Detectives arrest suspect in two armed robberies

Beaumont Police have arrested a man they say was responsible for a pair of purse snatchings just before the holidays.

On at least two occasions, Robert Lee Young Sr., a 47-year-old Beaumont man, used a gun to coax cash from two separate female victims who were later able to point Young out in a line up, according to BPD Detective Crystal Holmes.

“The suspect today was identified by two different victims as the man who robbed them in two separate aggravated robberies that occurred here in Beaumont over the last few weeks,” she said.

Holmes said the first victim, robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of Target on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2012, was able to give “an excellent description” of Young’s vehicle and what he was wearing that day. With the exact same description from the second victim, robbed at gunpoint in the parking garage of St. Elizabeth Hospital, it was only a matter of time before BPD detectives were able to apprehend Young, Holmes said.

“He was identified by both victims, as well as a witness in a third incident,” she said, adding while Young does have a few traffic offenses, he has no history of aggravated robbery and made away with less than $30 from each victim.

Holmes said female shoppers should be wary of thieves looking for quick cash during the holidays.

“There is not a thing in your purse that is worth your life or your health,” she said. “If you know you’re going shopping, you need a means of purchasing your items and you need an ID. Put those things in your pocket. Carrying a purse – that in and of itself makes you a target.”

Young was arrested on two counts of aggravated robbery with bonds set at $60,000 and $75,000 and will be arraigned this weekend, Holmes said.